The Five Heartbeats (1991): Cast, Box Office & Plot
The Five Heartbeats is a 1991 music drama starring Roger Rose as The Five Horsemen, Robert Townsend and Harry Lennix. It runs 2 hours 1 minute and earned $8.8 million worldwide.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 1m (121 min)
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- 20th Century Fox
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Five Heartbeats About?
The premise of The Five Heartbeats without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In the early 1960s, five hopeful young African‑American men come together to form an amateur vocal group called the Five Heartbeats. After a shaky beginning, they hone their craft, sign a record deal and climb the charts to become a top‑flight music sensation. As fame rises, the members confront the harsh realities of the industry—money disputes, personal betrayals and the relentless pressure that tests their friendships and ambitions.
The Five Heartbeats Themes & Keywords
· 34 tags- showbiz drama
- rise and fall
- 1960s
- written and directed by cast member
- talent show
- songwriter
- price of fame
- music business
- friendship
- drugs
- drug addiction
- behind the scenes
+22 more Show fewer
- fictional band
- independent film
- cheating fiancee
- american
- coming of age drama
- african american
- infidelity
- unfaithfulness
- adultery
- star
- rival
- racist
- extramarital affair
- cross cultural relations
- corruption
- church
- choir
- blues music
- recording industry
- 1970s
- brother
- hit and run
The Five Heartbeats Cast & Characters
Roger Rose leads the cast as The Five Horsemen, with Robert Townsend as Duck and Harry Lennix as Dresser.
- Roger Rose as The Five Horsemen
- Robert Townsend as Duck
-
Harry Lennix as Dresser - Tico Wells as Choirboy
Also Starring in The Five Heartbeats
· 22 more- Leon J.T.
- Bobby McGee Leon
- Michael Wright Eddie
- John Canada Terrell Michael 'Flash' Turner
- Chuck Patterson Jimmy Potter
- Roy Fegan Bird
- Hawthorne James Big Red
- Diahann Carroll Eleanor Potter
- Deborah Lacey Rose
- Troy Byer Baby Doll
- Norma Donaldson Mrs. Sawyer
- Carla Brothers Tanya Sawyer
- Kasi Lemmons Cookie
- James Anderson Big Red's Guys
- Harold Nicholas Sarge
- John Witherspoon Wild Rudy
Show all 26 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Eugene Robert Glazer David Green
- Tommy Redmond Hicks Pastor Blake
- Theresa Randle Brenda
- O.L. Duke Monroe
- Timmie Rogers Buddy Lewis
- Donnie Simpson Donnie Simpson
The Five Heartbeats Plot Summary
What happens in The Five Heartbeats from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Five boys – Donald “Duck” Matthews [Robert Townsend], Anthony “Choirboy” Stone [Tico Wells], J.T. Matthews [Leon], Terrence “Dresser” Williams [Harry Lennix], and Eddie King, Jr. [Michael Wright] – perform at a Battle of the Bands contest as The Heartbeats. They don’t win, losing to Flash and the Ebony Sparks, but their energetic set wins over the crowd and grabs the attention of Jimmy Potter [Chuck Patterson], a savvy manager who offers to steer them. He promises them $100 if they don’t win the next month’s battle; when the Heartbeats still lose, Jimmy makes good on his word. The owner of a local club then asks to hire them, and the Heartbeats decide to let Jimmy handle their future.
Full summary
The whole story of The Five Heartbeats, scene by scene
The Five Heartbeats Box Office
The Five Heartbeats grossed $8.8 million worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$8.8M
- US & Canada
- $8.8M
The Five Heartbeats Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Five Heartbeats.
How Well Do You Know The Five Heartbeats?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the nickname of Donald Matthews, the group's leader?
Cars in The Five Heartbeats
16 cars on screen, including the 1966 Ford Mustang and the 1959 Ford Ranch Wagon.
-
1966 Ford Mustang Important role -
1959 Ford Ranch Wagon Important role -
1968 Pontiac Firebird Important role -
1965 Cadillac DeVille Convertible Minor role
The Five Heartbeats Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Ritmo & Blues - O Sonho do Sucesso” and “五心合唱团”.
- Also known as
-
- Ritmo & Blues - O Sonho do Sucesso
- 五心合唱团
- 더 파이브 하트비트
Seen The Five Heartbeats?
Movies Like The Five Heartbeats
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Heartbreakers, Hearts Beat Loud and Heartbeat.
The Five Heartbeats FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, cast, box office and post-credit scenes of The Five Heartbeats, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Five Heartbeats?
The Five Heartbeats runs 2 hours 1 minute (121 minutes).
When was The Five Heartbeats released?
The Five Heartbeats was released on March 29, 1991.
Who is in the cast of The Five Heartbeats?
The Five Heartbeats stars Roger Rose as The Five Horsemen, Robert Townsend as Duck and Harry Lennix as Dresser, among 26 credited actors.
How much did The Five Heartbeats make at the box office?
The Five Heartbeats grossed $8.8 million worldwide.
Does The Five Heartbeats have a post-credit scene?
No. The Five Heartbeats has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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